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April in Japan is a popular tourist season, with cherry blossoms in full bloom, allowing visitors to enjoy the Japanese spring. However, one common health problem during this time is hay fever. In Japan, large amounts of pollen are released into the air during the spring. Therefore, even tourists staying in Japan for short periods may suddenly experience allergy symptoms. Hay Fever in Japan During Spring Travel What is hay fever, which is common in Japan during spring? [Points foreign travelers should be aware of] Hay fever is an allergic reaction caused by plant pollen. The body's immune system recognizes pollen as a foreign substance, triggering symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. In Japan, cedar and cypress pollen are abundant in the spring. Pollen levels often peak from March to April, and are frequently observed in the Kansai region as well. Reasons why there is so much pollen in Japan Japan has many mountains and forests. Therefore, even in urban areas, the environment is susceptible to pollen. Additionally, spring often brings strong winds, causing pollen to spread over a wide area. Spending long periods walking outdoors while sightseeing makes you more susceptible to inhaling pollen. Main symptoms of hay fever | Points that are easily mistaken for a common cold Hay fever symptoms can be similar to those of a common cold. Therefore, travelers often don't realize what the cause is. Common symptoms - Sneezing - Runny nose - Nasal congestion - Itchy eyes - Red eyes These symptoms are typical of allergic reactions caused by pollen. Common problems that can occur while sightseeing When hay fever symptoms worsen, you may experience decreased concentration or severe fatigue. Those who wear contact lenses should be especially careful, as they are more prone to eye itching and inflammation. Pollen allergy countermeasures you can take when traveling to Japan in April Basic precautions when going out: Using masks and glasses Wearing a mask is an effective way to reduce pollen inhalation. Pollen-blocking masks are readily available at drugstores in Japan. Additionally, glasses and sunglasses are effective in preventing pollen from getting into your eyes. Self-care after returning to the hotel It's important to remove pollen from your body after going outside. Even indoors, if pollen remains on your body, allergic reactions often don't subside. Wash your hands, gargle, and wash your face. By doing these things, you can reduce the effects of pollen. It is also effective to lightly brush off any pollen from your clothes before entering a room. Hay fever remedies available at Japanese pharmacies Many products for treating hay fever are sold in Japanese drugstores. • Antihistamines, eye drops, nasal sprays Many products are available with English labeling, making them easy to purchase even for short-term travelers. In cases of mild symptoms, over-the-counter medications often provide relief without needing to visit a hospital. If you feel unwell | Reliable medical options during your stay in Japan In Japan, many medical facilities only offer services in Japanese. As a result, many foreign travelers feel anxious about not being able to explain their symptoms in their native language. If you're feeling unwell, there's no need to force yourself to travel. You can also consider a home visit service where a doctor can see you at your hotel. At Japan International Clinic, we support not only English but also many other languages. You can receive medical treatment with peace of mind, as our medical staff are experienced in assisting foreign patients. Points that foreigners often feel anxious about when visiting medical institutions in Japan "I can't explain my symptoms in Japanese." "I don't know where to go for treatment." This is an anxiety that many foreign tourists feel. The option of a home visit | The peace of mind of receiving a doctor's consultation at your hotel. When you're feeling unwell, there's no need to force yourself to go out. Having a doctor come to your hotel room for a consultation provides great peace of mind for travelers. Why Japan International Clinic is chosen by inbound tourists At Japan International Clinic, doctors and nurses who are experienced in treating foreign visitors to Japan provide home visits . We also provide support for common travel-related health issues such as heatstroke and dehydration.

On the Reasonableness of Medical Fees and Their Rationale Introduction To all international travelers visiting Japan, our overseas travel insurance partners, and other related stakeholders: After receiving medical care at an international clinic in Japan, some of you may feel concerned or uncertain about medical fees. For example, you may feel that the cost was higher than expected, that the breakdown of charges was unclear, or you may be an insurance coordinator dealing with medical billing disputes. We fully recognize that issues related to transparency and fairness of medical fees can arise for foreign visitors to Japan. At Japan International Clinic Alliance (JICA) , we are fully committed to providing high-quality medical services at fair and reasonable prices. This article provides an objective, fact-based explanation of how our medical fees are calculated and how Japan’s healthcare system influences these costs. Our goal is to ensure that you can use our services with confidence and peace of mind. Table of Contents Overview of Medical Fees and the Insurance System in Japan Comparison of Medical Costs Between Japan and Other Countries Fees at Other International Clinics in Japan JICA’s Fees, Services, and Medical Cost Examples Our Philosophy on Fair and Reasonable Medical Pricing 1. Medical Fees and the Insurance System in Japan In conclusion, when foreign tourists receive medical care at medical institutions in Japan, all medical expenses are borne 100% by the patient . Japan’s healthcare system is based on a universal public health insurance model that applies only to residents who are enrolled in Japan’s public insurance programs. Short-term visitors such as tourists or business travelers are not eligible to join this system. As a result, all medical services provided to foreign travelers—including consultations, examinations, treatments, and medications—are classified as uninsured medical care (private or self-pay treatment) . Importantly, the medical care provided to foreign travelers is medically equivalent  to the care Japanese patients receive under the public insurance system. Foreign patients are not receiving “special” or “different” treatment. The difference lies solely in the payment structure , not in medical quality or standards. For Japanese residents, 70–90% of medical costs are covered by public insurance, leaving only 10–30% as out-of-pocket expenses.  Foreign travelers, however, do not receive this public subsidy and must pay the full cost themselves. In Japan, fees for insured medical services are strictly regulated by the government under a nationwide fee schedule. However, uninsured medical services are not subject to such price controls .  Medical institutions therefore set fees based on actual operating costs, including personnel expenses, facility maintenance, and administrative operations. When providing care to foreign patients, additional resources may also be required, such as: English-speaking medical staff Professional medical interpreters Multilingual medical documentation Administrative coordination with overseas insurance companies Risk management for potential non-payment These factors can cause medical fees for foreign travelers to appear higher than expected. Summary The reason foreign travelers may perceive medical costs in Japan as high is not due to improper billing or lack of transparency, but rather due to fundamental differences in healthcare systems and insurance eligibility . Foreign travelers receive Japan’s high-standard medical care without public insurance subsidies . For further information, please refer to official Japanese government resources on medical insurance for foreign visitors and residents. 4. JICA’s Fees, Services, and Medical Cost Examples 🩺  Service Overview Japan International Clinic Alliance (JICA) provides 24/7, year-round emergency medical support and hotel/home visit services  for travelers staying primarily in the Kansai and Okinawa regions, with planned expansion to Hokkaido and Tokyo. Our goal is to ensure that travelers can access Japanese medical care anytime—at hotels, private accommodations, remote areas, or islands—even at night, on weekends, or during holidays.  Key Features Registered nurses visit the patient’s accommodation Licensed physicians conduct consultations via telemedicine Prescribed medications delivered directly when necessary Medical support available in remote and island regions Official medical translation support in up to 20 languages 💡  Three Key Benefits That Ease Patient Concerns 1. Full Insurance Claim Support JICA issues an official medical receipt (“Recept”) that includes all information required for insurance reimbursement.  Unlike standard hospital receipts, it is specifically designed to facilitate overseas travel insurance claims. 2. Cashless & Credit Card Payments While many medical institutions in Japan still require cash payments, JICA supports credit card payments, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of cash. 3. Care Completed Without Leaving Your Room We remove the burden of traveling to a hospital, waiting times, and language barriers. Our integrated support—nurse visit, online doctor consultation, and medication delivery—allows patients to receive care comfortably at their accommodation. Pricing Base Visit Fee:  from USD 650 (Minimum daytime fee for nurse dispatch + online medical consultation) Additional charges may apply depending on the patient’s condition and treatment: Nighttime / weekend / holiday surcharges Area-based transportation or remote location fees Examination and medication costs Documentation fees (e.g., insurance medical certificates) Please refer to our official website for detailed pricing and area-based transportation fees. 4.Our Philosophy on Fair and Reasonable Medical Fees 1. Alignment with Market Standards JICA’s fees are set in reference to the general pricing range of international clinics in Japan and do not significantly deviate from market standards. Since foreign travelers are not covered by Japan’s public insurance, services are inevitably provided as private medical care. 2. Ensuring Safety and Medical Quality Our pricing structure supports: Proper staffing and clinical management by licensed physicians and nurses Continuous readiness for emergencies, nighttime, and after-hours care Multilingual support, medical interpretation, coordination, and safety management These services exceed the operational scope of standard insured care and must be reflected in pricing. 3. Transparency and Patient Support We strive to reduce patient anxiety by: Explaining estimated costs and fee structures in advance whenever possible Clearly communicating any potential additional charges Supporting insurance documentation and reimbursement procedures Responding to post-treatment billing inquiries Conclusion For these reasons, we believe that our medical service fees are reasonable, market-aligned, and designed to ensure patient safety, medical quality, transparency, and trust. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this statement. We sincerely hope you enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Japan.

The event will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM. At the satellite venue of "ResorTech EXPO 2025 in Okinawa", Our company representative, Togashi, will be speaking. <> On the day, we will be using our mobile medical consultation service " We, Okinawa International Clinic Alliance " and We would like to introduce you to the International Clinic's regional medical collaboration. In addition, together with DMM Kariyushi Aquarium and Junglia, With the theme of "Tourism x Medical x Technology," We will hold a discussion about new forms of regional co-creation originating from Okinawa. Anyone interested is welcome to join us in person or online. 📍Event Overview Date and time: November 14, 2025 (Friday) 14:00~ Venue: ResorTech EXPO 2025 in Okinawa Satellite Venue (*Please check the official website for details) Organizer: ResorTech Okinawa Executive Committee 💡 Related Links 💡 🔗ResorTech EXPO 2025 in Okinawa Official Website 🔗Nuchimasu official website

On February 8th, 2025, the Nuchimasu was exhibited at the "Uruma City Disaster Prevention Fair 2025" held at Uruma City Hall! The event included a corner where people could experience disaster relief activities, and the Nuchimasu was on display as part of this. Citizens were able to see the vehicle's equipment and functions and learn about its potential for disaster prevention and medical support. うるま市長も会場を訪れ、ぬちまーす号の役割や取り組みを視察。地域の防災力向上に向けた意見交換も行われました。 The Nuchimasu, which will not only provide medical care during stays in Okinawa but also strengthen medical support in the event of a disaster, will continue to promote disaster prevention activities in cooperation with the local community. For details, please visit the Uruma City official website .

--- Our representative, Mr. Togashi, served as a lecturer at the JICA Country-Specific Training for Côte d’Ivoire on “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Systems.” The other day, our representative, Mr. Togashi, gave a lecture at the JICA Country-Specific Training on “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Systems” for Côte d’Ivoire . He spoke about our initiatives through the Okinawa International Clinic Alliance  and our Medical MaaS  (Mobility as a Service for healthcare), as well as his experience working with JICA projects in Thailand. Because we operate in Okinawa, we often receive consultations from U.S. military personnel, their family members, and partners —particularly regarding STI/STD concerns and emergency contraception . In facing challenges such as teen pregnancy  and domestic violence , we have found that lowering the barriers for people to access nurses and doctors  can serve as an important form of early intervention. These are complex, interconnected issues. However, we believe that by serving as a trusted presence within the community , the nurses involved in Medical MaaS can play the role of community nurses , providing primary care and holistic support. In practice, when we receive medical requests or consultations like those mentioned, our doctors, nurses, and pharmacists  (in coordination with local pharmacies) work closely together—listening carefully, responding in accordance with national regulations, and coordinating with relevant counseling or support centers as needed. Healthcare and community development are deeply intertwined.We will continue striving to build a society where everyone can feel safe and connected to medical care and social support , always working in step with the realities and needs of each local community. 📞 Phone：070‑9208‑0747 🩺 Official Website:  https://www.okinawa-smartwellness.org/en